Avoiding the Common Problems Experienced by Hearing Aid Customers

If the time has come for you to get your first hearing aid, you have to realize that the process will last longer than a few days.
Even if you have a great audiologist and purchase an advanced device, there will be some things to get used to.
While some problems can be fixed with the help of your audiologist, others simply require patience and the ability to adapt.
Here are some common problems you might find with hearing aids and how you can address them.
1.
Feedback.
Everyone has dealt with feedback at one time or another.
You have probably noticed it when you were near the speakers at an event, or when you hear a microphone giving off a whistling sound.
The same thing can happen with hearing aids, so check back with an audiologist if you are having this issue.
Usually it is something which can be corrected in a short time.
However, as with any device which amplifies and transmits sound, there is always going to be the occasional bout of feedback.
Keeping your ears free of wax is one way to avoid it from the start.
2.
Discomfort.
People often forget about the physical aspect of hearing aids, i.
e.
how they feel when they are in your ears.
People complain about discomfort and irritation in the ears, usually after getting one's first device.
Is it something which will take getting used to or is it simply a bad fit by your audiologist? It could be either, so give it a couple of days and see if your ears correct themselves.
As always, if there is a persistent problem, it's time to talk to your audiologist about a solution.
Remember that your ears should be given the opportunity to adjust.
3.
'Too much at once.
' Can it be overwhelming when you first go out into the world with your hearing aid? Absolutely, and the 'too much at once' syndrome is thus one of the most common problems experienced by people.
How can you handle this rush of sounds and the intensity when you were used to the lack thereof? As with any other new phase in your life, you will have to summon a good amount of fortitude and work through it.
Being able to lean on family and friends at this time will help, as will talking with someone else who has been through the experience.
4.
Excessive background noise.
Do you find yourself listening to a conversation and then suddenly the entire focus of your ears has gone to plates banging in a restaurant kitchen or footsteps along the sidewalk? Background noise can be a lot to deal with in the beginning of your experience with a hearing aid.
Sometimes, all it will take is an adjustment to the microphones.
In other cases, they might be doing all they can and it might be you, the user, who needs to adjust.
All in all, it is nothing to fret over.
You'll be able to handle this barrage of sounds before long.